| 2002-2003 Season Preview
MIDWEST XC RACING
Skiers, organizers optimistic after brutal season last year
By Greg Marr You might think that last year's lack of snow had a devastating affect on cross country ski racing in the upper Midwest as race after race fell by the wayside. It's true that you might notice a few familiar races are missing this year, such as the Superior Classic. What might surprise you is the new
races on the schedule. Skiers are optimists they need to be optimists in this fickle era of warm winters and race organizers will be ready if winter does indeed return.
A Word of Thanks and Caution
First, a thank you to the many race organizers who promptly sent in information; that's a big help. Second, a huge thank you to Bruce Adelsman at skinnyski.com. For the past couple of years, we have shared
information on races, he for his wonderful Web site and us for these pages and our own Web site (www.silentsports.net). Gathering and presenting all this information is a monumental task, made much easier with the generous information sharing between us. (By the way, if you are not already a frequent visitor to skinnyski.com, go there now. It's simply one of the best XC info sites out there.)
Now the caution: The information here is meant only as a guide. You'll find
more complete information in our Calendar of Events section at the back of this magazine and that, too, is intended only as a guide. For one thing, we do make mistakes; people sending information can make mistakes; and the weather can be a big problem. If you're plotting out your winter race travels using this guide, always confirm the details personally with a contact person listed. We try to be accurate but we won't guarantee everything is as presented. Please call ahead.
That said, let's start our annual XC Ski Race Season Preview with a look at December, with an already strong lineup of hopefuls.
DECEMBER
Racing gets underway in the Twin Cities with the Elm Creek Relays scheduled to begin Dec. 5, followed by the Montebello Relays for high school skiers in Bemidji on Dec. 6. While not a competition, skiers will want to check out the new gear at the New Moon Demo in Hayward on Dec. 7, followed by the Silent Sports /Minocqua Winter Park Demo
Days on Dec. 14 15.
Racing picks up on Dec. 14 15 with the ABR Season Opener , a 5K or 10K classical Saturday and 5K, 10K, 15K freestyle Sunday at the ABR trails near Ironwood, Mich. The same two day format is also going on that weekend with the Snowflake Classic Opener , a 10K classical on Saturday, and the Snowflake Pursuit Opener , a 10K freestyle on Sunday in Duluth. In the Twin Cities on Dec.14, skiers can join in the 4X3K Hoigaards/Breadsmith Relay
.
High school skiers meet for the Dec. 19 Lakeland Invitational at Minocqua Winter Park and Dec. 21 at Phalen Park in St. Paul for the Hopkins Holiday Relays.
Dec. 21 22 is the weekend for the new Christmas Classic Stride , 10K classical, Saturday, and Christmas Classic Skate , 10K freestyle, Sunday, on the newly expanded Tech trails at Houghton, Mich.
Dec. 28 brings the 10K freestyle, 5K classic HASTA Double Pole Derby
to Hayward; the 7K classic ski/3K snowshoe Winter Biathlon to the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, Wis.; and, for strong of leg and heart, the 90K Double Birkie Trail Ski out and back on the Birkie Trail.
The month ends with the Classic Hiihto , a 15K classic ski Dec. 31 at Battle Creek in St. Paul.
JANUARY
Minnesota
We begin in Minnesota because the Gopher State starts the new year
racing at Phalen Park in St. Paul with the 10K freestyle New Year's Day Race at noon. The Thursday evening Elm Creek Relay Series continues with its 5K events on Jan. 2.
The weekend, Jan. 4 5, brings the Coca Cola Classic at Andes Tower Hills in Alexandria, a 10K classic on Saturday and 20K skate Sunday, as well as high school and youth events.
The Highland Sprint Series kicks back into action on Jan. 7 at Hyland Park in the Twin Cities.
The weekend of Jan. 11 12 is a busy one with races across the state. Beginning in the north on Saturday, there's the Sawtooth at Grand Marais, 8K and16K classical, 16K and 24K freestyle. Moving south, there are three choices: the 10K Baker Shaker at Baker Park Reserve in Plymouth; the 12K classic, 15K freestyle Red Wing Uffda Challenge at Red Wing; and the Graystone Challenge , 10K classic or freestyle at the
Graystone Trails near St. Cloud. Head up to Duluth on Jan. 12 for the 10K Erik Judeen Classic or go to Como Park in St. Paul for the 13K freestyle La La Palooza Loppet .
The popular Pepsi Challenge , 24 or 48K classical with 48, 24 or 7K freestyle options is at Giants Ridge on Jan. 19, or head all the way north that day for the Frostbite Falls Ski Races , 5 or 10K classical or freestyle in International Falls. Sunday, Jan. 19, is given over the the 15 or
30K freestyle King Boreas at the Phalen Golf Course in St. Paul.
The last weekend of January features the Montebello Niteski , a 6K classical or freestyle under the lights at Bemidji on Friday night, Jan. 24. Grand Rapids hosts its Vinterloppet on Jan. 25 with a 12 and 25K freestyle. The Ski Games at Battle Creek in St. Paul take the entire weekend with fun and racing for all ages. Featured are sprints, 5 and 10K
classic races and 10, 15 and 30K freestyle events.
Wisconsin
The Badger State serves up five events to open the ski race season on the first weekend of January. Jan. 4 has the Waukesha Citizens Race in the Milwaukee metro area, a 5 or 10K freestyle; the Ashwaubenon Nordic Open , 10 or 20K freestyle events at the Reforestation Camp near Green Bay; and the Schwan Shuffle , a 15K classic and 5K high school classic
at the Marvin Schwan Retreat and Conference Center near Trego. Not far from Trego on Sunday, Jan. 5, at Bruce, is the Blue Hills Ascent , 7.5 and 14.5K freestyle for adults, high schoolers and kids. In Door County at Sturgeon Bay on Jan. 5, the Crossroads Nordic Challenge offers 10K freestyle or classic races.
On Jan. 7, the Elver Park Race Series , 5 or 10K freestyle or classic, starts in Madison, with the Lapham Peak Series , 3.6K freestyle,
beginning at Lapham Peak near Dousman in the Milwaukee area on Jan. 8.
The 24 T, 24 Hours of Telemark , that is, runs Jan. 11 and 12 at Telemark Resort near Cable, Wis. This year there are 3 , 6 , 12 and 24 hour divisions for teams or individuals.
Classic only skiers head to the Wausau area on Jan. 12 for the 12K Snekkevik Classic .
The Jan. 18 19 weekend is a busy one with five events all over the state. In the Milwaukee area on Jan.18, the Lapham Loppet
at Lapham Peak offers an 11K, youth and high school races and sprints. Moving north the same day, there's the Nicolet Norski at Lakewood with 30K freestyle of classic out and back races, as well as youth and high school. Moving over to Seeley and the Birkie Trail, the popular Seeley Classic has its 42 or 22K classic only races 10K freestyle. Finally, the Balsam Vinterfest , 10 or 20K freestyle or classic, plus high school and youth distances, is at Amery on Saturday.
Sunday, Jan. 19, brings the Fridtjof Nansen Magic Crust Classic to the Eau Claire area with 5 or 15K skate and classic races for adults and youth, and 5K freestyle/classic; the Heartland Nordski , 12 or 6K freestyle plus youth races to Standing Rocks near Stevens Point; and a 15K freestyle on the Greenbush trails in the Aurora Health Care Nordic Challenge .
The last weekend of January has just one Wisconsin event, the 18K freestyle and 10K classic at the
Iola Norseman Challenge near Iola.
Michigan
We head to the U.P. for three races in January. The Keweenaw Peninsula features the Jan. 18 Heikinpaiva Hiihto , 15K or 5K freestyle and kid's events, at the Maasto Hiihto trail system in Hancock. On Sunday, a few miles away at Copper Harbor, there's the 5 or 10K classic only Copper Island Classic .
It's over to the Marquette Ishpeming area on Jan. 25 for the Noquemanon Ski Marathon
, with 25 or 55K classical or freestyle races in the rugged and scenic U.P. countryside.
Illinois
Oh yes our Banana Belt skiers keep the optimism high with two January offerings. On Jan. 12, there's the new Island Loppett , a 12K at the Blue Island Meadows Golf Course in Blue Island. The Subaru Northern Illinois Nordic , 11 and 3.5K, is at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton on Jan. 18. The Joliet Nordic , a 10K with youth events, is set for Jan. 19
at the Woodruff Golf Course.
Canada
Just across the Minnesota Canada border, try the Kamview Classic , 5.5 or 11K classic only on the Thunder Bay Nordic Trails on Jan. 17.
FEBRUARY
Wisconsin
The popular Badger State Winter Games ski races dominate the ski in Wisconsin Feb. 1 2 with 10 and 20K adult freestyle and classic, a 40K classic, 43K freestyle Birkie qualifier, 7 & 4K junior, 1K youth and relays
at Nine Mile Ski Area near Wausau.
An equally popular event, the Hayward Lions Pre Birkie , 25K freestyle, runs on the south end of the Birkie Trail Feb. 8. On the same day, the Wisconsin State High School Championships get underway at the Schwan Center in Trego.
Check out the Kortelopet Trail in the North End Classic Feb. 9, a 23K classic only race near Telemark Resort.
There are several choices on Feb. 15. The Rib Lake Hinder Binder , a
13K classic or 23K freestyle, is at Rib Lake. The Green Bay area's Reforestation Camp hosts the 20K freestyle Stump Farm Classic . You can head north for either the 10K Book Across the Bay , an evening event skiing across Chequamegon Bay on a lighted trail, or try the all new Brule River Timber Cruise , 32 or 16K freestyle and 12K classical at Bruce.
Birkie Week is up next with the Elite Sprints and Barnebirkie for the
kids in downtown Hayward on Feb. 20. There are several events on Friday, Feb. 21. The 3K Junior Birkie is open to skiers age 10 15; the Chequamegon Communications 10K is open to anyone; and the new 12K classic only Over the Hill will do just that take skiers over Telemark hill, just like in the old days of the Birkie.
The events everyone is waiting for are on Saturday, Feb. 22, the 51K American Birkebeiner or 23K Kortelopet .
Minnesota
The first weekend of February is the busiest of all for competitive skiers. How busy? Try 11 events. Ely is hoping to keep skiers for the entire weekend with its Wilderness Trek , a 15K classic on Saturday and 15K freestyle Sunday, along with kids' events and a tour.
Saturday, Feb. 1, also features the Governor's Cup , 44, 12 or 35K freestyle races at Little Falls; the 10K Moraloppet in Mora; and Winterfest XC Ski Races
, 12 or 5K freestyle at Frontenac. Saturday also features three new races: Wirth Park in Minneapolis will host the 25K freestyle City of Lakes Loppet ; up in Lutsen, there's the North Shore Mountain Challenge , 45 or 25K freestyle and classical; and Bemidji will have a 10K classic only Volski Classic .
With the exception of the 21K Spirit of Duluth , a classic only event at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Sunday, Feb. 2, races are clustered in southern
Minnesota. The 10K freestyle Murphy Challenge is in Burnsville; the Inga låmi , an 8K, women only freestyle in Plymouth; and the Marine/O'Brien Ski Race , a 10.5K classic or freestyle at William O'Brien State Park near Marine on St. Croix.
One reason for so many races Feb. 1 2 is that few race organizers want to go up against races scheduled for the next three weekends. Feb. 9 brings the Mora Vasaloppet , 58, 35 or 13K freestyle and 42K classic at
Mora. Kids' events are held Friday evening. The Minnesota State High School Championships are Feb. 14 at Giants Ridge.
Bemidji's Minnesota Finlandia , a 50 or 25K freestyle and 25K classical is on Feb. 15, along with the Snowflake Race , a 10K freestyle in Maple Grove.
Michigan
Head to the U.P. for the Feb.1 Porcupine Mountains Ski Marathon , a 42 or 21K classical only. On Feb. 15, at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula,
Brockway Mountain Challenge , a 15K freestyle, offers the only time of the year you can ski a groomed trail on Brockway Mountain.
In the lower peninsula, the White Pine Stampede is Feb. 1 at Mancelona, wiith distances of 50, 20 or 10K. The North American Vasa , 50, 27 or 12K, freestyle and classical, is at Traverse City.
Iowa
Even Iowa gets into the act with Vesterheim Barnelopet kids' race Feb. 1 in Decorah and the Feb. 8
Iowa Winter Games , 8K classic and 10K freestyle in Dubuque.
Canada
Our neighbors to the north invite us to the Kamview Tour on Feb. 8, a 15K or 30K freestyle on the Thunder Bay Nordic Trails.
MARCH
The season winds down in March but there's still plenty of skiing. March 1 has four events: The Howard Young Cup at Minocqua Winter Park, a 25K freestyle, 8K classic, high school and youth events; the River View Loppet
, 24 and 12K freestyle and on the Afterhours trails in Brule; the Buena Vista Snowjourn, a 12K classic or freestyle, on the Buena Vista trails at Bemidji ; and the Sibley Ski Tour , 50 or 20K freestyle at Lake Mary Louise near Thunder Bay, Canada. The Lotvola Cup , a 12K classical, is at Maplelag in Callaway on March 2.
In Duluth on March 8, the Salmela Cup features 15 and 5K classical races at the Snowflake trails. The Great Bear Chase
, 50K freestyle, 26K classical or freestyle, is at Swedetown near Calument, Mich., on March 9.
Giants Ridge holds its popular Pole, Pedal and Pant triathlon on March 15 with a 10K ski, 10K mountain bike and 5K run. Duluth's Snowflake trails hosts a new event on the 15th, the Snowflake Marathon , with a 30 or 15K freestyle or classical and youth events.
ABR's Season Closer/American Cancer Society Races , 36, 24 or
12K freestyle, on the ABR trails near Ironwood, Mich., is March 16.
The race season ends March 22 back at Snowflake in Duluth in retro fashion with the Wooden Ski Rendezvous , a 10K classic.
Missing, Canceled or Unconfirmed
Gone but not forgotten are the Giants Ridge Christmas Classic, Twin Ports Championship in Duluth, Crivitz Colosso and Superior Ski Classic. Unlikely is the Tahquamenon Falls Nordic Invitational at Newberry, Mich.,
in March. Uncertain but likely are the Garland Glide and Garland Classic in Michigan, the Lumberjack Jaunt in Bemidji and the Hoigaard's Slush Rush. Details on these were not available at press time. There are rumors of a ski race on the Winter Solstice on the new trails at the Trollhaugen apline ski center in Dresser, Wis., and a classic only in Illinois at Crystal Lake in February.
If there are new races not mentioned here (or old ones overlooked),
please let us know. Now go get ready to ski.
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